Announcing the Launch of the Global Encryption Coalition

Today, more than 30 civil society organizations joined in launching the Global Encryption Coalition, to promote and defend encryption in key countries and multilateral gatherings where it is under threat. The new coalition is led by a Steering Committee consisting of the Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT), the Internet Society, and Global Partners Digital.

“The spread of COVID-19 has underlined the necessity of secure, private internet communications. Those who are fortunate enough to have strong internet connections are likely sharing increasing amounts of sensitive data online. At the same time, governments around the world are considering policies that put the security of that data at risk,” said Greg Nojeim, CDT’s Senior Counsel and Director of the Freedom, Security and Technology Project. “Encryption enables people to have private and secure digital lives.”

Working together with a membership that will quickly grow to include companies and technologists, CDT and the Coalition will help activists on the ground in key countries where it is under threat, like Canada, Australia, India, and Brazil, beat back proposals that would weaken encryption. “The Coalition will alert technologists to encryption threats around the world, and create mechanisms through which they can deliver expert analysis to mitigate those threats,” said Mallory Knodel, Chief Technology Officer of CDT.

“CDT is excited to have this opportunity to deliver expert analysis, global engagement, and a megaphone to support local efforts to protect encryption,” Nojeim added.

“The Internet Society is thrilled to be joining forces with the Center for Democracy and Technology and Global Partners Digital to form the Global Encryption Coalition,” said Jeff Wilbur, Senior Director of Online Trust at the Internet Society. “With a global health pandemic driving more of our daily activities and communications online, encryption is more important than ever to help keep people and countries secure. We look forward to working with a global movement of coalition members focused on promoting and defending the use of strong encryption policies and practices worldwide.“

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